On the size of transitional boundary-layer streaks

A collection of secondary instability calculations in streaky boundary layers is presented. The data are retrieved from well-resolved numerical simulations of boundary layers forced by free-stream turbulence (FST), considering different geometries and FST conditions. The stability calculations are performed before streak breakdown, taking place at various $Rey_x$ the Reynolds number based on the streamwise coordinate. Despite the rich streak population of various sizes, it is found that breaking streaks have similar aspect ratios, independently of the streamwise position where they appear. This suggests that wider streaks will break down further downstream than thinner ones, making the appearance of secondary instabilities somewhat independent of the streak’s wavelength. Moreover, the large difference in the integral length scale among the simulations suggests that this aspect ratio is also independent of the FST scales. An explanation for this behaviour is provided by showing that these breaking streaks are in the range of perturbations that can experience maximum transient growth according to optimal disturbance theory. This could explain why, at a given streamwise position, there is a narrow spanwise wavelength range where streak breakdown is more likely to occur.